The truth about the night Grant Hackett snapped

On the surface, Grant Hackett seems to have it all – a beautiful wife, gorgeous two-year-old twins, and a golden reputation that has earned him a host of corporate gigs and a commentary spot at next year’s Olympics. But the triple Olympic gold medallist’s future is in doubt after he “lost it” and overturned his wife Candice Alley’s beloved grand piano during an ugly screaming match at their Melbourne penthouse on Derby Day.

The alcohol-fuelled moment of madness is said to have left Candice frightened and traumatised. “We heard screaming and raised voices during a long argument from their apartment late on Saturday night,” confirms one neighbour, who did not wish to be named. “It sounded really drunken, and at first we were unsure where it was coming from – I couldn’t really believe it was the Hacketts, because they’re always so polite and nice to each other.”

The fight was so loud and frightening to neighbours that police were called, with eight police cars arriving at the swish city apartment block to investigate the incident and provide protection to Candice. “Grant was shouting non-stop, drowning out Candice,” says the neighbour. “I couldn’t hear the exact words, but some of our neighbours on several different floors heard the piano going down, and then there was silence after that – but before then, there was a lot of small stuff and furniture being thrown around.